June 2025 Edition

8th Annual Executive Leadership Breakfast

Elms College hosted its eighth annual Executive Leadership Breakfast with Charles D’Amour, Executive Chairman of Big Y Supermarkets, as the keynote speaker on Wednesday, June 11. D’Amour’s talk, titled “Legacy, Resilience, and Adaptability: Guiding a Family Business,” shared insights from his leadership journey and the guiding principles that have shaped one of the region’s most successful family-owned businesses. The event had record breaking attendance, drawing nearly 200 business leaders from across Western Massachusetts, and was proudly sponsored by 21 local businesses.

2025 Reunion Weekend

From June 6th to 8th, we had the pleasure of hosting over 180 alumni from the classes ending in '5s and '0s for our Alumni Reunion. It was a wonderful weekend full of reconnecting and reminiscing. On Friday evening, we enjoyed a delicious dinner at the Boathouse followed by a river cruise on the Lady Bea in South Hadley and a Party at the Rumbleseat in Chicopee.

The rainy Saturday began with Dr. Dumay delivering a State of the College address. The Class of 1975 was then inducted into the Golden Blazers and received the traditional Blazer scarf – congratulations to the Class of 1975! The Presidential luncheon honored Dr. Jeffrey Trant with the 2025 Sr. Margaret James McGrath Distinguished Alumni Award. The afternoon was packed with campus tours, a smoothie station, paint and sip, and Elms trivia and games. The day continued with dinner and the Class of 2000 being inducted in the Silver Celebration Pinning Ceremony. Congratulations to the Class of 2000! The evening concluded with the lively Blazer Bash.

Reunion weekend wrapped up on Sunday with a delightful brunch. We hope everyone had a fantastic time, and we look forward to seeing you again soon.

See More Pictures Here

Alumni Spotlight

Jeffrey Trant graduated from Elms College in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in social work. This served as the springboard for his continued education. A master’s degree in social work at Boston College followed two years later, and he completed his doctorate in 2022 from the School of Social Welfare at the State University of New York at Albany. Jeffrey has said that he first learned of the breadth of social work here at Elms and that his desire to learn, grow, and help within the profession has continually expanded.

In his career as a licensed social worker and a certified psychiatric rehabilitation practitioner, he devoted time and energy to helping people with emotional trauma and mental health challenges. Jeffrey operated Human Resources Unlimited, a program treating those with mental illness. He led the Springfield Diocese’s Diocesan Office of Safe Environment and Victim Assistance, from which he advocated for survivors of clergy abuse. And as director of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Franklin County and North Quabbin, he worked to help children recover from complex trauma and sexual abuse.

Through his voluntary service on multiple in-state and national boards and committees charged with setting and maintaining standards for education, licensure, and professional practices, he has helped shape the future of ethical and responsible social work. Governor Charles Baker selected Jeffrey in 2017 for a five-year term on the Massachusetts Board of Registration for Social Workers.

It is this wealth of knowledge and experience that he brings into the classroom as a full-time member of the faculty at Anna Maria College.

In Jeffrey's lifetime of service to his profession and community, and in his deep desire to ease the plight of those afflicted by trauma, he has exemplified and put into practice the ideals of Elms College and the spirit of the Sisters of St. Joseph. For that reason, the College of Our Lady of the Elms was proud to present the Sr. Margaret James McGrath Distinguished Alumni Award to Jeffrey Trant, Class of 2006.

Commencement Week Recap

The Elms College Campus was buzzing with Commencement activities through the month of May. These included the Senior Toast, Graduate and Doctoral Hooding Ceremony, Baccalaureate Nursing Pinning Ceremony, Baccalaureate Mass and Blessing of the Hoods, and Commencement. Check out our Facebook Page for more photos. Congrats to the Class of 2025!

Alumni in the News

Madison Quinn '23 Named Grand Marshal of 2025 Pittsfield Fourth of July Parade

Pittsfield native, Westfield resident, and Baystate Medical Center employee Madison Quinn has become the latest and youngest Grand Marshal of the Pittsfield Fourth of July Parade. A unanimous selection by the parade committee, Quinn is being honored as the Founder and Executive Director of Strong Little Souls (SLS), a non-profit organization she founded at just 13 years old and has led for over a decade.

Quinn’s leadership of SLS has earned her recognition from the New England Patriots and Berkshire Community College’s “40 Under 40” program, which highlights exceptional individuals under the age of 40. What started as a passion project when she was a teenager has now grown into a significant organization that provides critical support to children fighting cancer. Quinn is a graduate of College of Our Lady of the Elms, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

As the founder and driving force behind SLS, Quinn leads the organization in providing care packages, meals, toys, and reading materials to young patients, while also advocating for pediatric cancer research. Her work is deeply rooted in personal experience, and she continues to connect with families, offering support and hope to those navigating the challenges of childhood cancer.

According to Parade Committee President Rebecca Brien, Quinn is a perfect fit for this year’s parade, noting, “This year’s theme, ‘Young at Heart,’ aligns beautifully with the resilience, hope, and joy Quinn inspires through her work with Strong Little Souls. Her dedication to the organization has made a lasting impact on our community.”

Upcoming Events